How nasty allergy helped Jessica Alba built $1 billion business empire in 4 yrs

Jessica Alba has revealed how a nasty allergic reaction helped her built a billion-dollar business empire in four years.

The 34-year-old actress was pregnant with her first child seven years ago when she tested out a brand name baby detergent and broke out in a rash.

When the 'Fantastic Four' star began looking for natural, chemical-free products, she found few options and so, in 2011 she started The Honest Company to make her own, News.com.au reported.

Alba revealed that one of the biggest bumps was being taken seriously as a businesswoman, saying that people usually thought of someone in her position as more of a spokesperson, someone that would sell beauty products.

She noted that most of her advisers in entertainment thought she should do a perfume or something like that, but she ignored them and pushed on with her idea, eventually meeting entrepreneur Brian Lee with whom she partnered to launch The Honest Company.

The reason why she went into business was really to create a safer and healthier world for her children and for all children, Alba said.